the greater good

aloha friends,
 
if all goes well, today is the day we buy the tin roof for the orphans new home.  we’re driving into port au prince (always a treat, NOT!) to get it.  when i woke this morning it was sprinkling rain, and dark clouds almost promised a down pour.  i quickly haggled with mother nature for two more days, calling in on a few favors.  she agreed, and out came the sun.  i promised to have the roof on in 48 hours, so the orphans wouldn’t have to spend one more evening in a wet tent.  the structure has turned out great, and is a far upgrade from the tents. 
 
while waiting for my ride rebekah and i went on a short walk around town. the little guy in the picture followed us around like he was keeping us safe.  i’m not so sure he wasn’t!  at the end of our journey we bought him a sprite that brought on a huge smile.  i quickly noticed how he shared it with his friends.  sharing is something i see every day here. 
 
i’ve put a lot of thought into the sharing i notice here, wondering how it is that in such poverty it looks so easy. i can sum it up to this, the people here seem to do most things for the greater good.  which makes me question: how much do we do in our lives that is actually for the greater good? if anything!  ego and greed are not demonstrated in any fashion that i recognise here. no one seems to do things for personal gain. i’m sure that just because i don’t notice these things doesn’t mean that they don’t exist here. but it is apparent here that the over all culture is cultivated by doing things for the greater good. you can’t love one person without loving all people. something to think about the next time you hear an off colored joke or comment about anyone. please know that when i make these comments regarding my observations, i share them with my friends and family to bring me closer to you.  i’m really talking about me, and reminding myself that i need to continue growing in the right direction, toward having more love in my life.  this is what i meant a couple weeks ago when i mentioned slowing down.  if i didn’t slow down in my life, i wouldn’t notice these things, and i would stay exactly the same!
 
it’s a day since the last paragraph, and half the roof is already up, it looks awesome.  the orphans have now figured out that it is for them, so they are really looking forward to its completion.  renee (founder of mission of hope haiti) just told me that new mattresses have been ordered for all the orphans.  now that brings a smile to my face.  to any of you that made a donation to me, or to this mission, know that your dollars are well spent! i’m convinced that if i came back in ten years the small rug rats i see running around all day will be influencing this small community in the right ways.  through the donations and orphan sponsorship, they are receiving proper nutrition, school materials, and most importantly a good education.  teach a man to fish, and he can feed himself.  the little guys you see in my pictures are the future teachers, craftsmen/women, and local politicians.  lex (renee’s husband) is the product of a sponsored child, it works!

 
the one picture is of isabella, she is the one we put on formula only 5 weeks ago, talk about putting some weight on and looking good.  the two boys we met on our walk around town, they really wanted me to take there picture, so i did.  the boy alone was our keeper for the walk, he took great care of us.  we ran across this lady carrying things on her head, very normal style for here. 
 
i wish all of you a most excellent weekend.  i’ll be thinking of you while beach side in my tent.
 
aloha,
 
bryce

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